Controller

Location: Grand Forks, ND (In-Office / On-Site)

Job Type: Full-Time, Salaried

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: General Manager

About the Role

Are you an experienced accounting and finance professional looking to take full ownership of a financial function and make a tangible impact? We are seeking a hands-on Controller to oversee and drive the day-to-day accounting, financial reporting, cash flow visibility, and process improvement efforts for APGI.

As a key individual contributor with no direct reports, you will manage the full-cycle accounting process. This role plays a critical part in our grower accounting and settlement workflows within the produce industry, helping to strengthen and modernize the financial systems that support our business and our growers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Full-Cycle Accounting: Own the day-to-day accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger activity, journal entries (including monthly accruals), reconciliations, and the month-end close process.
• Multi-Facility Expense Management: Partner directly with washplant managers across our three locations to streamline the accounts payable workflow, ensure all necessary operational expenditure approvals are secured, and communicate localized financial performance and budget insights back to plant leadership.
• Financial Reporting: Prepare timely and accurate monthly financial statements and supporting analysis for the General Manager to support strategic decision-making and monthly board meetings.
• Grower Accounting: Oversee produce-industry reporting and grower accounting workflows within our specialized ERP system, including accurate tracking of grower transactions, charges, advances, storage, and final settlement-related activity.
• Cash & Budgeting: Maintain sharp cash flow visibility, monitor working capital, and support budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Payroll & Compliance: Oversee payroll-related accounting, including payroll journal entries, reconciliations, and related compliance filings, while collaborating with our managed third-party payroll provider.
• Tax Compliance & Reporting: Manage timely monthly and quarterly tax filings and compliance reporting, while serving as the primary liaison for the outside audit firm handling the annual tax returns.
• Inventory Control & Audit Support: Oversee accounting controls for potato bag and packaging inventory, ensuring accurate ledger tracking and supporting the outside auditors during regular sample inventory verifications.
• Audit & Partnership: Serve as the primary accounting contact for the outside audit firm; prepare all necessary schedules, reconciliations, and documentation for the annual audit. Work directly with banks, vendors, and insurance partners as part of normal financial operations.
• Process Modernization: Help modernize internal workflows, including accelerating the transition to ACH, electronic invoice receipt, and reduced manual data entry/paper-based processes.
• Internal Controls: Strengthen internal controls, consistency, data visibility, and documentation across all accounting and operational cost structures.
• Operational Agility: Maintain a "roll-up-your-sleeves" mindset, taking on administrative, operational, or ad-hoc financial tasks as assigned to ensure smooth business operations.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive accounting experience, demonstrating the ability to handle full-cycle accounting independently.
• Core Competencies: Deep understanding of GAAP, financial statement preparation, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Software Skills: Strong Excel and systems skills, with a proven ability to learn new software platforms quickly and analyze financial data efficiently.
• Work Style: Comfortable working in a highly hands-on, autonomous environment. Ability to partner closely with operational leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Famous Software (ERP) or other specialized agribusiness/produce accounting platforms.
• Direct experience in agriculture, fresh produce, cooperative accounting, or complex grower settlement structures.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain financial data clearly to non-finance team members.
• CPA designation is a plus.
• Proven track record of implementing automated accounting workflows (ACH, digital invoicing, etc.).

Why Join Us?

• Competitive Opportunity: Salaried position with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), long-term disability, and paid time off.
• Impact & Autonomy: Opportunity to fully own the accounting function, improve financial processes, and modernize workflows.
• Our Organization: Work directly with the leadership team of the region's largest fresh potato supplier, dedicated to supporting our growers and operational efficiency.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a minimum of 5 years of progressive, full-cycle accounting experience (managing month-end close, general ledger, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation)?
• Are you comfortable working as an individual contributor in a hands-on environment with no direct accounting reports?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,000 - $95,000